MLS: Inter Miami Clinch Dramatic Late Equaliser Against New York City FC in Season Opener

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami got off to a rocky start in their opening match of the new Major League Soccer (MLS) season, settling for a 2-2 draw at home against New York City FC on Saturday.

Last season, Miami set a new record for regular-season points but faced an early exit in the playoffs. In this encounter, they had to contend with playing most of the match a man down following the red card shown to Argentine defender Tomas Aviles.

Messi was instrumental in both of Miami’s goals, providing key assists, including a last-gasp equaliser in the 10th minute of stoppage time.

Under the guidance of new head coach Javier Mascherano—who stepped in for compatriot Gerardo Martino—Miami showcased a number of fresh recruits. However, they appeared disjointed and lacking a cohesive structure for much of the match.

The evening began on a high note for Miami as they took the lead in the fifth minute. Messi delivered a corner kick that was flicked back by Jordi Alba with pinpoint accuracy. Aviles then capitalised on the setup, finding the back of the net.

However, the match quickly turned against the MLS Cup contenders.

Fafa Picault, one of the club’s offseason signings, departed the pitch in the 10th minute due to what looked like a muscle injury.

Things took another downturn 13 minutes later when Aviles fouled Alonso Martinez just outside the box, earning a straight red card and leaving his team in a precarious position.

From the resulting free-kick, Maxi Moralez exploited Miami’s defensive disarray, slipping a clever pass to the unmarked Mitja Ilenic, who found the bottom corner with ease.

Patchwork Defence

With an inexperienced central defensive partnership of Noah Allen and Ian Fray, Miami struggled to establish control over the match. However, substitute Robert Taylor nearly equalised, forcing City keeper Matt Freese into a fantastic save right before half-time.

New York sensed an opportunity to secure an upset and were handed the lead in the 55th minute as Alba made a costly error, passing directly to Martinez, who capitalised and slotted home.

Messi found himself starved of quality service and received little support from the largely underwhelming Luis Suarez, who was substituted only four minutes after conceding the second goal.

Freese thwarted a Messi free-kick, and although Alba set up Federico Redondo with a brilliant pull-back, the midfielder’s effort went wide.

However, in the dying moments of the match, Messi showcased his brilliance, delivering a perfectly weighted pass to Telasco Segovia, who coolly lifted the ball over Freese for the equaliser.

“He’s the soul of this team,” Mascherano remarked about Messi. “You could see his impact at the end.”

“We need to keep him with this drive because it’s not just what he does on the pitch; it’s also the energy he brings to his teammates,” added the Miami boss.

“He’s not only playing in attack; he contributes in defence as well, tracking back and working hard in midfield. He’s magnificent.”

In other MLS action, Emmanuel Latte Lath made a splash on his debut for Atlanta United, scoring twice in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Montreal.

The Ivorian forward was signed from Middlesbrough during the off-season for a reported league record fee of $22 million.

Colombian Edwin Mosquera netted the winner for Atlanta with a stunning curled shot in the 85th minute.

The Philadelphia Union kicked off their season strongly under new South African coach Bradley Carnell, securing a surprising 4-2 win against Orlando City, with Israeli Tai Baribo scoring twice.

Togo international Kevin Denkey, a $16 million acquisition from Belgium’s Cercle Brugge, found the net on his debut for Cincinnati, leading them to a 1-0 win over New York Red Bulls.

Uruguayan Diego Rossi scored two goals for Columbus Crew, handing Gregg Berhalter a difficult start in his first match at the helm of Chicago Fire, as they fell to a 4-2 defeat.

On Sunday, the defending champions, Los Angeles Galaxy, will face the league’s newest franchise, San Diego FC.